You are always busy, trying to keep up. It seems there is always more to do and less time to do it in. We are always hearing how we should work smarter, manage our time and achieve more. Whether its being the best employee, employer, volunteer, friend, husband or wife, Mother or Father, daughter or son, or being the best at all of these roles, we sometimes think that if we can just squeeze a little more into the day, we can do it all. Sometimes we make poor decisions when we try to do it all, compromising our health and safety. When we choose to use the cell phone while driving a vehicle, we are jeopardizing our safety on the road.

Ever wonder why the vehicle ahead of you is slower than traffic or drifting into another lane? Many times it is because they are distracted while driving. Research has shown that cell phone use behind the wheel of a vehicle often results in poor driving behavior including inconsistent travel speeds, lane deviations, steering wheel movements and an increase in the vehicles reaction time. When you notice other vehicles using their phone, be sure to be extra cautious and drive defensively, to avoid a crash.

Cell phone use is distracting. If you are using a hand held phone, there is a physical/kinesthetic distraction that comes from maneuvering the phone and using the keypad. Sometimes locating the phone is also a distraction. Visual distraction occurs when you take your eyes off the road to check an incoming call.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the University of Utah and Carnegie Mellon University have conducted a variety of studies that indicated all cell phone use is distracting, whether handheld or hands free. Both hand held and hands free mobile phones provide cognitive distractions. The cognitive distraction not only comes from listening and planning to speak, but also from trying to read the emotional response and comprehension of the caller on the other end of the call. When you are engaged in a telephone conversation while driving, control of the vehicle tends to be on auto pilot, and alertness is reduced. Drivers miss exits, speed limit changes, potential hazards, and import clues regarding other drivers' behavior that result in unsafe conditions and increase the risk of a crash up to four times.

Several states currently ban handheld mobile phones while driving, including: California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Oregon and Washington the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands. But with the emerging research on hand free cell phone use many safety organizations are taking notice. The Governor's Highway Safety Association (GHSA), representing state highway safety offices administering federal and state highway safety funds, and implementing state highway safety plans, has issued the following statements regarding cell phones:

GHSA's message to all drivers is: don't use cell phones or other electronic devices while driving, regardless of the current law.

GHSA does not support handheld cell phone bans, as there is no clear indication that hands-free use is any safer than handheld.

So while you are working to be at your productive optimum, consider the danger using your cell phone poses. Pull off the road to make or take that call. Evaluate new technology that limits cell phone capability while the vehicle is in motion. Avoid talking with others while they are in the vehicle and communicate the dangers of driving distracted with your loved ones. While you can't control every danger in driving, you can reduce your risk.

National Safety Commission works to increase awareness of important safety issues, particularly those that deal with highway and traffic safety information. Our mission is to make consumers more vigilant and understand that "safety is no accident," through education and outreach programs.